Recently purchased a new TI (awesome), however, noticed that the seats do not include the detachable pockets on the back.

Before I approach my dealer with this can someone tell me if these are supposed to be included? or are do they no longer come with the seats?There are still the loops on the seat backs for attaching them but no pockets were included with my TI seats. They were included on my AI seat.Also I do not see them offered for purchase in the accessories catalog.

I liked having them for keeping small items that I always want with the boat and out of the way (scupper plugs, spare plastic bags, etc.).

Nope. Not included. They made that change when they went to the self inflating lumbar support on the seat. I believe it was a costing decision to keep things in line at the time (2010 was the year of the change if my memory is correct)

You CAN still get the little gear bag through the Parts Catalog though. I believe the part number is 81266011 "Seatback Gear Pack"

I just returned from the 2013 Houston Boat Show and talked with the Hobie rep there. These seatback gear packs ARE listed in the 2013 catalog on page 40 in the upper right corner. No picture, but the part number is indeed 81266011 and it's listed as the "Seatback Gear Pack".

I've been looking for these things for TWO YEARS since I first bought my 2010 TI! I'd given up hope, but then I saw one on a Hobie Kayak at the boat show & promptly asked the dealer about it. I was told by the dealer, "Uhhh... That's no longer available." Not to be denied, I insisted he ask the Hobie rep and sure enough, the Hobie guy said, "Yeah, they're in the catalog!" Finally! I'm ordering two today!

You need to rinse well and work the zipper each trip if you sail salt water or the zipper will freeze-up permanent. We use to keep our tool/spare parts little lock-lock in it, but I had to rip/cut one out one day when it was needed because of the lack of extra maintenance they need but didn't get. Still a very useful size & use of unused space.

Have you got any tips for freeing up the zipper Bob. The outer zip on mine has frozen solid and you'd think that there would be something in the garage that would free it up. I've yet to find it. P.S. I'd prefer to use a lubricant rather than the angle grinder or gas axe.

Have you got any tips for freeing up the zipper Bob. The outer zip on mine has frozen solid and you'd think that there would be something in the garage that would free it up. I've yet to find it. P.S. I'd prefer to use a lubricant rather than the angle grinder or gas axe.

If it's not too far gone, WD40 will help it. But if not, the zipper will disintegrate as you try to free it up.

Alternatively, I use a lot of spray-on silicon lube for the plastic working parts on my TI, and in some places, even a little spray-on graphite lock lube. Both are "dry" lubes after the liquid carrier evaporates.

Okay, so I placed my order for two of these with my favorite Hobie dealer, but she said she had to special order 'em from Hobie and when she called her supplier at Hobie she was told they had some left in stock but were no longer making the item. Get 'em while you can!